Mysterious Desert Dwellings. By Ian Layzell

The Cave Tombs of Petra - not dwellings at all but mysterious cave tombs.

After exploring Petra for a day we headed back to the As-Siq for our route out of the Ancient City. Passing these Cave Tombs I couldn't help but resist another photo opportunity. This time a golden sunset light hit the unusual tombs showing off even more of their beauty. Each part of the day allows you to see Petra in a different light. Guaranteed anytime though to always look beautifully mysterious !!

These are the oldest cave tombs of Petra. They have been carved into the red sandstone of the Northern Slopes of Jebel al-Madhbah, which is the Mountain of Sacrifice.

The City of Petra was abandoned after an Earthquake in 363 CE and was "re-discovered" by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. He then brought it to the attention of the West in the year 1812.